David Carr: Rams over Patriots. The NFC is absolutely loaded, with about six teams looking like true contenders. It's the Rams, though, who edge out the competition, and Sean McVay proceeds to out-scheme Bill Belichick for his first Lombardi.

Steve Mariucci: Rams over Jaguars. My mind will probably change tomorrow, but for now, I'm taking the Rams. Both teams have major talent on defense, but the Rams have the edge on offense. That's the decider.

T-1. New Orleans Saints (5 votes)

Gil Brandt: Saints over Patriots. Defense will be the difference in this clash of potent offenses. The Saints' D has improved greatly from where it was just a few years ago, and it will continue to get better in 2018, making it possible for New Orleans to outlast the Patriots.

Cynthia Frelund: Saints over Chiefs. Not the most likely matchup predicted by my model, but these two teams have the upside to get to Atlanta. Drew Brees finally gets his first league MVP honor AND breaks the MVP-winner-isn't-also-an-SB-winner curse, all in one season.